Thanks to jeordie from MySpace for this review:
So what does NIN do when they come to San Antonio? They play the most intense, powerful, and extreme show you'll ever see! Being there was a true concert experience for all present, and for those who missed out, I'm sorry. There's just no words to describe the night.
Let's begin with the wait in line. My partner and I arrived to the SBC Center somewhere close to 5:30 pm. A large crowd was already showing up, and many more were waiting at the ticket line to purchase whatever tickets were left. We make our way into the venue at 6 pm, but both my partner and I had to go to the wristband booth to be allowed access to our GA area as indicated on our tickets. So once we're inside, there was maybe about an 1 hr. 15 min. wait for the show to kick off. Many NIN fans were showing up in great amounts. Boring stufff for the next time wait... on to the good stuff.
The openers, Death From Above 1979, began their set at 7:30 pm. The Toronto, Canada noise rockers really caught me by surprise. Comprised of only a drummer/vocalist and a bassist, they sounded like a four man band. The lack of guitars was occupied by very heavily distorted bass. They played a 30 minute 7 song set of pure ear deafening rock that really pleased my ears. The bassist did some really weird noises on his ax, but really impressed me with his mixture of vocals, synths, and bass altogether to get a very distorted robotic voice during one of their songs. This band is definitely one to look out for. They do not disappoint.
So after thinking to myself, Man this show is already going well, shortly then the quirky stoner rockers Queens Of The Stone Age hit the stage at around 8:20 pm with a bang. They began their set strong, and included such hits like No One Knows, Little Sister, and Go With The Flow. I was only disappointed to not know much of their music. They really heated things up with their 14 song set that lasted maybe close to an hour. Their music was a bit reminiscent of being caught in a desert, smoking pot and just having an acid trip to music, although I've never done that. The crowd was really going this time, with all the shoving and piling up on one another being just a cautionary sign of what was to come later on.
After QOTSA, NIN fans around me were getting desperate to see the main attraction. Lots of pushing and shoving was going on, and no one could contain their excitement during the half hour wait. Then the lights drop, and NIN's intro was heard through the speakers. They kicked off their set with "Love Is Not Enough" from their latest release, With Teeth. The band played the song behind a transparent curtain, and the silhouette of the band made the crowd all the more excited. The intensity of the crowd went up in great amounts, as many people battled for air to breathe. Through out their 2 hour set, Trent snarled at the crowd, and for his age (40), showed lots of energy. Bassist/guitarist Jeordie White remained in the same spot throughout the night, not really moving much. Guitarist Aaron North was the most overhyped person on stage. He jumped around, threw his guitar all over the place, ran around kicking and throwing other things he could possibly send flying. Keyboardist Alessandro Cortini added the familiar ambience and texture to the songs. The absence of drummer Jerome Dillon was saddening(he's been diagnosed with a heart disorder), but newcomer Alex Carapetis really amazed me with his playing. NIN played big chunks of The Downward Spiral and With Teeth, and also played their older hits like Head Like A Hole, Sin, and Terrible Lie from Pretty Hate Machine. The soft and popular ballads Hurt and Right Where It Belongs were very beautiful moments of the night, with the crowd lighting up their lighters and cell phones shining as well. Trent continuously kept thanking the crowd, and looked very happy and alive at the SBC Center.
Covering San Antonio's music scene since 2005